Patent application title: DC POWER OUTLETS IN FIXED POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS IN OR ON WALL INSTALLATIONS

Abstract:

An electrical power distribution system has fixed stations with AC power
to DC power conversion circuitry at these stations. The converter(s) are
switchable ON/OFF at outlet ports or sockets where the socket
configuration permits. Standardized DC sockets accommodate a variety of
voltage requirements typical of portable digital devices. In some
embodiments feedback circuitry is provided to regulate the power to these
devices in accordance with parameters programmed in the portable devices
or in the sensing circuitry provided at each station.

Claims:

1. In an electrical power distribution system for a building wherein AC
power cables are provided to a plurality of stations in the building, the
improvement comprising:AC to DC converter means for providing low voltage
DC power at selected stations in the building;DC outlet sockets
electrically coupled to said AC/DC converter means by voltage regulating
means;whereby various DC voltages are available at said plurality of DC
outlet sockets for powering devices having various voltage requirements.

2. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said DC outlet sockets
include at least one of the group comprising USB ports and FIREWIRE
ports.

3. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein switching means is
coupled between said AC to DC converter means and some of said DC outlet
sockets for selectively energizing some of said DC outlet sockets.

4. The improvement according to claim 3, wherein said some DC outlets
sockets include at least one of the group comprising;USB ports and
FIREWIRE ports.

5. The improvement according to claim 3, wherein said switching means
comprises a moveable support for said DC outlet socket, whereby inserting
a charging device plug into said DC outlet socket energizes said AC to DC
converter means and provides DC voltage to a device to be powered.

6. The improvement according to claim 5, wherein said some DC outlets
sockets include at least one of the group comprising;USB ports and
FIREWIRE ports.

7. The improvement according to claim 3, further including indicator means
activated electrically by said switching means for indicating visually
the electrical condition of said DC outlets.

8. The improvement according to claim 5, further including a manually
moveable closure for said DC outlet sockets, said switching means being
responsive to manual movement of said moveable closure from closed to
open for energizing said DC outlet socket.

9. The improvement according to claim 8, further including indicator means
activated electrically by said switching means for indicating visually
the electrical condition of said DC outlets.

10. The improvement according to claim 4, further including indicator
means activated electrically by said switching means for indicating
visually the electrical condition of said DC outlets.

[0002]The number of and voltage requirements for the wide variety of
portable electrical devices has multiplied, along with the ongoing need
to recharge such devices. For example, cell phones, personal digital
assistant devices, laptop computers, MP3 players, digital cameras, and
other devices all need to be charged. Each device generally has its
peculiar charge plug configuration and "brick", or specially adapted
power supply for charging in the home or office.

[0003]Furthermore, many of these portable devices are capable of
processing data and being linked to networks through connectors such as
the universal serial bus (USB) and/or FIREWIRE (IEEE 1394) style
connectors, which connectors are now used for charging devices such as
cameras and cell phones, etc.

[0004]A need exists, therefore, for a more convenient fixed station in the
home or office environment which can be utilized for charging such
portable electrical devices, without requiring specially matched adaptive
power supplies or "bricks".

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]The present invention seeks to obviate the need for such a multitude
of especially adapted power supplies, or "bricks" for the charging of a
variety of portable electrical devices operating from the wide range of
different DC battery voltages such as are now required for these portable
devices. A permanent charging station is disclosed, where a variety of
portable devices can be operated and/or re-energized in a home or office
environment.

[0006]More particularly, and in a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the building structure is provided with a permanently
installed electrical power and data/communication distribution system,
preferably in the form of a wall mounted electrical raceway of the type
manufactured by The Wiremold Company of West Hartford, Conn.

[0007]In such raceway installations AC power cables are connected to a
source of AC power and adapted for use at predetermined stations along
the raceway by providing AC electrical outlets therein. So too,
data/communication outlets of the telephone jack type are commonly
provided, as are outlets of the type used for various data, and
audio/visual installations.

[0008]The present invention carries these "jack" configurations one step
further, and provides DC sockets in a variety of forms. In one aspect of
this disclosure, USB and FIREWIRE style data exchange outlet ports are
provided at a single location or station in the electrical distribution
system in an office building, factory, or home environment. In a
preferred aspect these USB and/or FIREWIRE ports are provided, without
using their data lines/connectors, and derive DC power from the AC power
source. No data/communication connections are required, nor are such
cables required.

[0009]Such a fixed station may be integrated with a wall mounted raceway
or comprise a conventional wall receptacle. The fixed station may or may
not include an enclosure having an accessible panel. The enclosure or
wall receptacle defines an interior space in which both electrical AC and
DC connections can be provided to the AC electrical power conductors in
the raceway. DC rectifying circuitry provides a variety of DC voltages.
Power connections to a USB or FIREWIRE port are energized from the source
of AC power through a converter suitable for USB or FIREWIRE DC voltage
outputs. Portable electrical devices, having a USB port, are used at
present for powering various peripherals in a computer system having USB
compatibility. Cell phones and personal digital assistants, or "FDA's",
are also capable of being operated, or charged from a USB, or FIREWIRE
port. Preferably, the data connections for these USB and FIREWIRE outlets
are not activated and do not communicate with any computer network in a
preferred form of the present invention.

[0010]In its preferred form, the present invention comprises a switchable
source of DC power, suitable for selectively energizing a USB port for
example, in a building's electrical power distribution system. Rather
than running DC voltage cables in a divided raceway of the type having AC
power in one wireway, and having low voltage DC cables in a separate
wireway, the AC electrical power, throughout the building structure is
rectified and converted to the desired DC power at each fixed station
having the outlets for receiving the devices to be charged or powered.

[0011]Whether in a conventional electrical distribution system within a
wall receptacle, or in a raceway, the invention includes outlet plates
provided at selected locations throughout the building, serviced by a
source of AC power. The present invention requires only power to the DC
voltage lines for a USB port, the data lines being inactive.

[0012]In accordance with the present invention, a DC outlet plug or USB
port is provided in an outlet plate, and electrical switching means is
coupled between the DC outlet plug and the AC power cable to selectively
energize that DC outlet plug.

[0013]In one embodiment of the present invention, DC outlet ports are
provided for access to voltages selected from a range of common DC
voltages including but not limited to, 12 volts, 9 volts, 71/2 volts, 5
volts, etc. DC sockets are provided in an array on a panel, which may be
provided as a structural component of an enclosure fitted into a divided
two piece conventional raceway of the type used for electrical power
distribution cables and data/communication cables in a building
structure.

[0014]In another embodiment of the present invention the AC voltage cables
are connected to an AC to DC voltage converter which transforms the power
at fixed stations in the building structure. Feedback circuitry may be
provided for coupling the appropriate electrical DC voltages to the
devices to be powered or charged. A data feedback loop is provided
through conventional USB and FIREWIRE ports in the panel to not only
provide the appropriate charging voltage at these USB and FIREWIRE outlet
ports, but to monitor the voltage provided to a battery in a portable
device connected to these "intelligent" USB and FIREWIRE ports. In order
to maintain appropriate voltage to that battery, the voltage is provided
above whatever low voltage shut off level is built into the portable
devices itself. I refer to prior art U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,503 issued Apr.
25, 2006 and entitled Circuit and Method of Operation for an Adaptive
Charge Rate Power Supply, for a more complete disclosure of one possible
configuration for this monitoring circuitry. That U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,503
patent is incorporated by reference along with other patents listed in my
provisional application identified in the opening paragraph of this
disclosure.

[0015]With particular reference to the prior art patents listed in my
provisional application, U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,885 is particularly
instructive, and discloses a protocol for DC plug configurations that
teaches "tips" for a "charging" or power cord that preclude applying an
over voltage to the portable electrical devices to be charged or
operated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 shows, in schematic fashion, representative portable devices
which can be charged from the outlet ports provided at a station in the
building structure constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional two piece
divided metal raceway having data/communication cables in one of the two
separated wireways, and also having AC electrical power cables in the
other of said divided wireways. The enclosure illustrated is somewhat
schematic but illustrates the variety of DC outlet ports which can be
accommodated at a fixed station in an electrical power distribution
system of a typical building.

[0018]FIG. 3 illustrates a variety of outlet ports which might be provided
in a typical face plate, in addition to the prior art single gang duplex
power outlet face plate shown at the left side in this view.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a schematic view to illustrate a version of the invention
incorporating a feed back feature wherein a USB and a FIREWIRE outlet
port is/are included in a panel of the type shown in FIGS. 1 through 3
inclusively, for not only charging devices equipped with these USB and
FIREWIRE style ports, but also including monitoring and feedback
functions.

[0020]FIGS. 5 and 6 show examples of a combination AC and DC outlet
devices such as are contemplated in the present disclosure.

[0021]FIG. 7 shows single wall box receptacles, the left hand view having
both AC and DC sockets the right hand view showing duplex USB style
sockets. An indicator light shows whether these sockets are energized.

[0022]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of FIG. 7.

[0023]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the FIGS. 7 and 8 duplex DC device.

[0024]FIGS. 10 and 11 show a single DC outlet device in which the USB
socket is rotatable to switch the DC power ON or OFF as a result of
inserting a USB plug (not shown) and twisting the plug and socket from
horizontal to vertical.

[0025]FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the FIGS. 10 and 11 duplex socket
showing the internal components.

[0026]FIG. 13 shows a single DC outlet device in which the USB socket is
switched in response to inserting a USB plug.

[0027]FIGS. 14 and 15 show schematically how the USB socket functions as a
"push" switch to selectively energize the socket.

[0034]FIG. 22 shows schematically how the movable cover in FIGS. 20 and 21
operates the AC to DC converter to energize the duplex DC socket in this
version of my invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035]Turning now to FIG. 1 of the drawings is greater detail, this
embodiment shows schematically the electrical power distribution system
for a building structure, represented by the 110 volt source of AC power
connected to a station 8 in the building structure. This station 8 has
internal electrical components, namely AC to DC converting means for
feeding a number of DC sockets of varying DC voltage at an interface or
panel where a variety of DC voltages are available to charge individual
devices, or to power them.

[0036]Also shown in FIG. 1 are control circuit components that provide
feedback signals from the devices to be charged to regulate output power
requirements to the devices to be powered or charged.

[0037]FIG. 2 shows a building structure represented by the wall 10 and
floor 12, with two raceway sections 14 and 16 provided on the wall 10. A
fixed charging station 18 is provided between these raceway sections.

[0038]The charging station 18 is more particularly defined by an enclosure
that communicates with the wireways within the raceway sections. AC power
cables run through access openings (not shown) provided for this purpose
in the end walls 18a and 18b of the enclosure 18.

[0039]The front panel 20 of the enclosure 18 is provided with receptacles
for 9, 7, 5, and 3.5 volt charging cords (not shown) associated with a
variety of portable electrical devices to be charged. Slot style sockets
are also included for the more commonly used cell phones, and a sub-panel
is also provided as shown at 22 for the proprietary tips from U.S. Pat.
No. 6,976,885.

[0040]Turning next to the schematic illustration of the structure shown in
FIG. 1, the enclosure 18, and more particularly the panel 20, is
represented by the interface between the enclosure and the raceway, as
indicated at the left hand side of this view. AC cables are schematically
illustrated in this view as well, being connected to those within the
raceway as described previously, or to the AC source within the
building's structure itself.

[0041]FIG. 3 shows devices plates of the type presently available, with a
typical duplex 110 volt grounded AC outlet at the left hand side of this
view. Combinations of such an outlet plug configuration with several DC
voltage outlet configurations, including those from U.S. Pat. No.
6,976,885 are also illustrated. This view also illustrates a typical
raceway installation having a typical AC outlet device provided therein,
and also including a slotted DC charging outlet in a combination device.

[0042]FIG. 4 shows the same general configuration as that of FIG. 1, but
also included is feedback or monitoring circuitry. USB or FIREWIRE ports,
illustrated respectively at 30 and 40 on the panel 20, might have
application for this feedback function. The panel interface 20/22 is
shown schematically by the broken line in the middle of this view. The
raceway 14/16 is also shown schematically in this view as are the power
cables provided in the lower wireway and the low voltage DC cables
provided in the upper wireway.

[0043]FIG. 4 also illustrates internally mounted AC to DC conversion means
75 for USB and FIREWIRE ports 30, 40 in the panel 20. While cables can be
connected respectively to each of the ports 30 and 40 in the panel 20
this converter avoids the need for a daisy chain approach to powering
these USB and FIREWIRE ports. In addition to the electrical DC voltage
connection, the data lines from these USB and FIREWIRE ports may also be
utilized as inputs to conventional controller circuitry, which transforms
and regulates as well as rectifies the output voltage for purposes of
providing a variety of voltages to the DC outlet ports as indicated in
this view. U.S. Pat. No. 6,995,963 is incorporated by reference and
discloses a DC power management circuit for a FIREWIRE port.

[0044]FIG. 4 also shows a typical peripheral device 50 such as might
accommodate a USB cable, as well as a device 60 such as might accommodate
a FIREWIRE cable. These devices 50 and 60 may be one and the same, or
selected from the many peripheral devices available today. These DC ports
may be duplicated in the portable devices for accommodating more than one
such device in a multiplexed system. See for example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,614,206 issued Sep. 2, 2003 and entitled UNIVERSAL USB CHARGING
ACCESSORY. The FIREWIRE protocol is embodied in IEEE specification No.
1394, which disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.

[0045]The device 70 illustrated in FIG. 4 is a lap top computer, and
designed to be charged from an automotive type cigarette lighter socket
as illustrated generally at 42. The devices indicated generally at 80 and
90 represent smaller portable devices such as might require charging
"bricks" 62,82 or specially adapted power supplies designed solely for
use with such devices. The present disclosure seeks to obviate the need
for the user to carry with him in addition to the portable device a
charging "brick" or power supply designed specifically for that device.

[0046]FIG. 5 shows a wall mounted, or raceway mounted outlet plate having
two power outlets, an AC outlet for 120v, 60 cycle power, and a USB port
for 5v DC power.

[0047]FIG. 6 shows a wall or raceway mounted outlet plate having two power
outlets, an AC outlet as in FIG. 5. Plus a FIREWIRE port, which can
provide DC voltages from 7.5 volts up to 4 or 5 times 7.5 volts.

[0048]In the embodiment to be described with reference to FIGS. 7-22 the
DC outlet ports are provided in an outlet device of conventional external
size and shape, suitable for mounting in a conventional wall receptacle,
or raceway device holder/plate. Preferably, the DC outlet ports are in
the form of USB or FIREWIRE ports. Switching means is provided for
selectively energizing these ports or sockets when they are used for
powering or for charging electrical devices. These ports or outlets are
not for use to exchange data signals. The data lines are not connected in
these USB and FIREWIRE sockets of FIGS. 7-22.

[0049]Conventionally, USB wall plates have been proposed for a variety of
purposes. Generally such USB ports or sockets are mounted in computer
equipment or peripheral devices used with computer equipment.

[0050]The convenience of USB compliant outlet ports has been carried over
to standard wall plates of the type used with receptacles provided in a
wall structure. See for example U.S. Pat. 6,943,296 issued Sep. 13, 2005
to BellSouth. This '296 patent discloses a USB wall plate having
circuitry that allows live USB ports to be placed throughout a building
structure. This '296 patent relies upon electrical power to daisy chain
USB ports so as to allow use of these ports not only for low voltage DC
power purposes, but also for data transmission.

[0051]The present invention foregoes the need for utilizing these data
conductors in a typical USB port, and instead provides only the DC
voltage in each of the USB ports. This distinction is important because
the five volt DC output from a USB outlet port can of course be used to
charge portable electrical devices.

[0052]Due to electrical losses in the length of USB cabling required to
wire a typical building structure, boosting of the DC voltage to the
"design" five volts for USB cabling is generally required. The above '296
patent is incorporated by reference as illustrative of one such boosting
arrangement. The present invention obviates this need for boosting DC
voltages at such USB ports.

[0053]In further accordance with the present invention, switching means is
provided at each of the USB outlet plates so as to avoid any requirement
for boosting the DC voltage, when a portable device is to be charged. As
a result of switching the USB port from its "off" condition to its "on"
condition, and transforming and rectifying the AC voltage to DC voltage,
each station has ready access to converted DC voltage in a very efficient
way.

[0054]FIG. 7 shows two possible configurations for installing a USB port
in a conventional wall box receptacle 50. In the left hand view the USB
port is simply provided in the same device as an AC outlet. In the right
hand view two USB ports are provided in a duplex DC device that also has
an LED lamp to indicate when these USB ports are energized.

[0055]FIG. 8 shows the socket in the right hand view of FIG. 7 in greater
detail, with connections for a 110 volt AC power cable (not shown). FIG.
9 shows the FIG. 8 structure in schematic form to illustrate the 110 volt
60 cycle AC power 400 being switchable to selectively energize a
converter (AC/DC) 220. The two USB ports are mounted in the device 200
for limited translational or inward sliding motion, for alternatively
switching input AC power, through switch means 450, to the converter 220.
Thus, insertion of a USB plug (not shown) into a USB socket or slot
240/242, switches the converter ON. Withdrawal and pushing plug in again
will reverse the switch causing the converter to be deenergized. The LED
or lamp 250 will provide visual indication if the converter condition is
ON/OFF.

[0056]FIGS. 10-12 show a similar set up for a single USB socket, but
instead of being pushed in to switch the DC output of the converter 220
ON/OFF, this USB port 340 can be rotated through 90° from the FIG.
10 to the FIG. 11 position to switch the converter ON/OFF. A rotatable
collar 350 houses the USB port in the device 300 front face 300a for this
purpose.

[0057]FIGS. 13-15 shows another switching arrangement wherein the USB port
440 is pushed inwardly to electrically switch AC power 400 to the AC/DC
converter 220 as described above with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

[0058]This and other switching means are also feasible for use in
switching other DC outlet ports ON/OFF. For example, the well known
FIREWIRE port developed by Apple Computer, Inc. and adopted by the IEEE
is another useful socket that is well suited to adoption for use in
accordance with the present invention.

[0059]Additional variations are described below, and are also well suited
for use with other standard cables capable of carrying the voltages
commonly used in portable electrical devices such as digital cameras,
personal digital assistants, and cell phones, to name a few popular
products of the type contemplated for use with DC outlets at fixed
building power stations in a building's electrical power distribution
system.

[0060]FIGS. 16 and 18 show a wall W mounted electrical box/receptacle 510
with a device 515 provided in the box and a wall plate P surrounding the
device face 515a so that the face of the device resides in the plate
opening Po.

[0061]The device 515 has a pair of DC sockets 535 of the USB type, mounted
in the device face and a manual switch 505 for selectively connecting
these USB ports to the output of an AC/DC converter 220 described
previously. The building's electrical system is conventionally connected
to the device 515 as shown at 400.

[0062]FIGS. 17 and 19 show a similar structure but instead of a manual
switch, the USB ports are mounted slidably in the face 525a of the device
525 and act as push button switches for the switching means 450 to
selectively connect the output of the AC/DC converter 220 to the power
conductors of a USB cable (not shown) when a cable end is pushed into one
or both sockets 536. Removal of the cable (not shown) causes the
switching means 450 to deenergize these USB ports 536, saving electricity
otherwise delivered to the AC/DC converter 220 continuously, but for this
switching feature.

[0063]FIGS. 20-22 show a gated USB duplex port setup with the switching
function achieved by vertical movement of a gate or cover 600. This
structure results in a safety feature since the DC outlet ports cannot be
accessed except by raising this gate or cover. The USB cable itself
serves to hold the gate or cover open/up so that removal of the cable
causes the gate to close and a switch actuator to open the switching
means 450 deactivating the AC to DC converter 220.

[0064]Although FIGS. 10-22 do not all show a lamp or LED indicator means
such as that in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, it is apparent that this feature can be
embodied in the switchable USB outlet devices of FIGS. 10-22.

[0065]In summary, the invention can be practiced in a variety of forms,
some of which are specifically disclosed by way of example. It is,
therefore, to be understood that the appended claims define the scope of
the invention, and the embodiments described above are by way of examples
to illustrate how the claimed invention might be carried out in practice.